City manager previews April 7 agenda; staff to move short-term rental license online and recommends dissolving Wichita Land Bank

The City Manager told the Wichita City Council that staff plans to move the short-term rental licensing process online and is proposing to remove a required notary signature to make applications and renewals possible.

"We are trying to put more licenses and services online," the City Manager said, adding that removing the notary requirement would streamline renewals and make the online option workable.

The manager also recommended dissolving the Wichita Land Bank, saying the board "has served basically their purpose" and could be revived later if activity increases. The item was placed in the manager’s preview of consent and new-business items for the April 7 meeting.

Council members asked for more detail about a partner agreement with Wichita Collective Impact tied to a third-grade reading and literacy initiative. One council member requested citywide adult literacy rates and how the Greater Wichita Partnership would coordinate with existing local providers such as Storytime Village and the Kansas Health Foundation.

Becky, a staff participant, said PPMC and the Greater Wichita Partnership will present slides at the Tuesday meeting and will cover collaboration details.

City staff said there is "no financial obligation" anticipated for the partner agreement and that it would mainly provide a table for the city to participate and allow limited logo use. Council members asked staff to bring specific information about participating partners and literacy metrics when the item returns for consideration.

The items were scheduled for consideration on the council’s April 7 agenda; staff will return with the application changes and more detail about the literacy partnership when those items are placed on the agenda.